The moral positions taken towards zoos and conservation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The focus on supporting conservation and encouraging related behaviours is changing the emotional experiences of zoos and related moral positions towards animal tourism. Drawing on Haidt's moral emotions and theories of moral judgement, we interpret depth-interviews with zoo stakeholders to theorise four moral positions: the renunciation of captivity to protect animal rights; acts of propitiation that gesture towards a nature that has been harmed; the vindication of animal captivity through arguments about education and species preservation; and valediction through visits to endangered species and habitats as inspiration for conservation. These positions highlight the need for zoos to consider a moral emotion-behaviour gap as part of their conservation work.
Source: Annals of Tourism Research
Authors: Georgiana Grigore, Mike Molesworth, Paul Baines
Institutions: University of Leicester, University of Birmingham
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,060
OpenAlex ID: W7106540519